Murkowski Asks Bush To Pardon Stevens

CBS News has confirmed that Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) has asked President Bush to pardon Ted Stevens, the former Alaska senator from charged with several felony counts by a federal jury in 2008.

Murkowski's spokesperson, Mike Brumas spoke to CBS News' Ryan Corsaro by phone, saying that Sen. Murkowski had made the request to President Bush, but would not give details.

"It's a sensitive time right now," said Brumas after confirming the pardon had been requested. Murkowski does not have an announcement scheduled for tomorrow.

A spokesperson from the White House could not be immediately reached for comment.

Before losing his seat in the last election, Stevens had served as a senator from Alaska since 1968. Last October, he was found guilty on seven counts of failing to reports gifts. After trying to contest his seat following a slim loss to Democrat Mark Begich, Stevens conceded the race in mid-November.